Heika: At some point, Jim Nill will possibly overpay for a big name free agent

2/11

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/NHLI

Nill grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. At age 21, he was a member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic hockey team. The Canadians failed to advance past the first round after losing to the Soviet Union (the same team the U.S. would beat in the Miracle on Ice) in their final game of round-robin play.

Stars beat writer Mike Heika answered questions in a chat on Thursday. Here are some highlights.

Do you think GM Jim
would pay for any free agent at all in this inflated market?

Yes. I think you have to at some point. Would he be more
open to doing that in the summer of 2014 when he has a better idea of what a
good risk for the organization would be? I think so. But, he will be open to
doing anything he can to make this team better. I will say that his boss is
patient about this process, so I think Jim Nill will be patient too.

What FA do you think
the Stars will pursue this summer? Do you believe there will many changes
coming with the new GM?

I just don't think there's a good fit right now. I have had
many ask about Toronto
center Tyler Bozak, who played with Jamie Benn in the BCHL. He fits in age
(27), and would definitely help the team, but he has not been a No. 1 center,
and you wonder if giving him a big free agent payday is too big a risk. I think
the Stars have to be careful and not do what Buffalo did, spending just to spend. They
need to find the right fit and spend wisely. I'm not sure there will be a ton
of changes. The Stars have many contracts already done and plenty of kids in
the system pushing for the NHL, so they might only add three or four players.
But, they have to be the right players.

Hey Mike, any
thoughts about acquiring Lecavalier? Presuming he is bought out, he could be a
great add.

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